On Monday, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reported that the Islanders have expressed interest in a sign-and-trade with the Ottawa Senators for Erik Karlsson. If a deal comes to fruition, this would be a game-changer for the organization.
Less than thirty-six hours before the Pagnotta report, the Islanders lost captain John Tavares to the Toronto Maple Leafs, creating a massive leadership and talent void. Karlsson would fix that problem.
Karlsson, who will turn 29 next May, has been the Senators’ captain since the 2014-15 season. The Sens drafted him fifteenth overall in the 2008 NHL Draft, after the team finished the previous season with a 43-31-8 record.